Method and apparatus for manipulating film

Abstract: In releasing a film (2) from stacked films and transporting it to a predetermined position, film suction devices (110) hold the film at two opposite peripheral portions. The suction devices are then lifted together with the film so that the lifted portions approach a center of the film. Ends of the lifted portions is grasped by finger portions (123) while the other films are pressured by a pressuring mechanism. The film is further lifted to be released from the other films. The film is then transported and accurately put on a predetermined portion.

Description: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manipulating a film of stacked films, and more particularly to a method and apparatus which functions effectively when it is applied to stacked films which tend to block a release of a film from others. 2. Description of the Prior Art Various apparatuses for manipulating a film of stacked films have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 54-18028 discloses a film handling apparatus which has a pair of arms having high-friction end surfaces. A film suction device is disposed outside of each of the arms and applied to an end portion of a film of stacked films. The arms are contacted with and sandwich the film. The end portions of the film are then lifted by the pair of film suction devices. Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-144 discloses a film suction device which has a bottom suction surface and a peripheral suction surface continuous to the bottom suction surface. The peripheral suction surface is upwardly oblique toward an outside of the suction device. Therefore, a film of a first order in stacked films is attached to the film suction device so that peripheral portions of the film is separated from the other films. Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-11878 discloses a film suction device where a pair of chucking devices hold two end portions of a film of stacked films. Each chucking device is rotated on an axis parallel to a film surface so as to separate the chucked peripheral portions of the film from the others. Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No 1-145945 discloses a film manipulating apparatus where a film releasing unit having a plurality of needles separates a film of stacked films from the other films by sticking its needles to the film. Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-19496 discloses a film installation apparatus which puts a film on an upper surface of a curved glass sheet. This apparatus includes a pair of wrinkle stretching devices which stretches wrinkles of the film and puts the film on the curved glass sheet. However, each of these apparatuses has a drawback, such as, it is difficult to be applicable to various types of films, such as a film which changes its properties according to a temperature and a humidity, by one apparatus, or it may injure a film during a manipulating operation. EP-A-0 319 251 discloses a film manipulating apparatus comprising the features of the preamble of claim 13 and a method of manipulating stacked films comprising the following steps: Attaching a peeling head to at least two opposite peripheral portions of the film. Lifting the peeling head so that the lifted portions approach a center of the film. Grasping ends of the lifted portions of the film. Pressurizing the other films by needles. Transporting and putting the film on a predetermined portion. EP-A-0 111 739 discloses a device for lifting and turning plastic bags and an apparatus for performing this method. A suction mechanism lifts a corner portion of the plastic bag and thereafter a gripper takes the lifted edge portion of the plastic bag. Due to the lifting of the bag an electrostatic charging of the bags is avoided. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a readily automatable method for securely and effectively releasing a film from stacked films one by one and transporting it to a predetermined position. It is another object of the invention to provide a film manipulating apparatus for performing the method according to the invention. A first aspect of the present invention is a method according to claim 1. Another aspect of the present invention is a film manipulating apparatus according to claim 13. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side view which shows a first embodiment of a film manipulating apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top view of the film manipulating apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a film releasing device applied to the film manipulating apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a front view of the film releasing device of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an side view for explaining an usage of the film releasing device of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a side view for explaining movements of the file releasing device of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a view which shows loci of links and a film suction mechanism; Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the film suction mechanism of the film releasing device; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the film suction mechanism of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view of the film suction mechanism of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the film suction mechanism of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a modification of the film suction mechanism; Fig. 13 is a time chart for explaining operations of the film manipulating apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 14 is a top view of a film positioning device of the film manipulating apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 15 is a top view, partially in cross-section, of a table for correcting the position of the film; Fig. 16 is a side view of the table of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a schematic system view of a film positioning device of Fig. 14; Fig; 18 is a top view which shows a relationship among a sheet glass, a film and a camera visual field; Fig. 19 is a view for explaining the relationship between the film and the image field of the camera; Fig. 20 is a view for explaining the relationship between the film with a banded-gradation and the image field of the camera; Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of a center portion of the image field in Fig. 19; Fig. 22 is an enlarged view of a side portion of the image field in Fig. 19; Fig. 23 is an enlarged view of a center portion of the image field in Fig. 20; Fig. 24 is an enlarged view of a side portion of the image field in Fig. 20; Figs. 25A, 25B and 25C are views for explaining a position correcting procedures of the film on a table; Figs. 26A, 26B and 26C are views for explaining a position correcting procedures of the film with a banded-gradation on a table; Fig. 27 is a side view of a second embodiment of the film manipulating apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 28 is a side view of the second embodiment; and Fig. 29 is a side view of the film handling device of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figs. 1 to 26C, there is shown a first embodiment of a film manipulating technique and apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the film manipulating apparatus 1 is installed in a conveyer-line system 60. The film manipulating apparatus 1 manipulates stacked films 2 made of synthetic resin in an air-conditioned circumstance. The film manipulating apparatus 1 comprises a film handling device 10 including a pair of film releasing devices 100, 100. The film handling device 10 is installed to a pair of slide frames 47, 47 through slide gears 43 and a first motor 40 so as to be horizontally slidable along the slide frames 47, 47 according to the operation of the first motor 40. The pair of slide frames 47, 47 are fixedly supported by a pair of support members 50, 50 (although one of them is not shown in Figure). The film releasing devices 100, 100 are installed on an installation plate 58 so as to be located at portions corresponding to opposite corners of a film 2 to be handled. The installation plate 58 is integrally connected with a support plate 45. The support plate 45 is installed to the slide frames 47, 47 through vertically moving guides 52 and a second motor 46 so as to vertically move the film handling device 10. A plurality of films 2 of a sector shape are piled up (or stacked) on a table 48 which is movable on a transport roller 44. The film 2 is a glass sheet or glass film whose thickness is smaller than 1.5 mm. The table 48 is moved by the motor unit 70 through the transport roller 44. A plurality of cameras 304 for monitoring a position of the film 2 on a table 303 are installed to a stand 306 through adjusters 305. Furthermore, the film manipulating apparatus 1 comprises a conditioner (not shown) which controls the temperature and/or humidity of this apparatus in a predetermined condition, such as, in a condition that a temperature is controlled within a range 10 to 25°C, more strictly within 13 to 18 °C. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each film releasing device 100 comprises a pair of vertical support members 105, 105 and an upper support member 117 which is integrally connected to the vertical support members 105, 105. An installation bracket 125 for connecting the film releasing device 100 to the installation plate 58 is fixedly connected to the upper support member 117. An end of a first air cylinder 104 is swingably connected to the installation bracket 125. A rod end member 107 is connected to the other end of the first air cylinder 104 through a piston rod 106. A first link 109 of a V-shape is rotatably connected to the vertical support member 105 through a first shaft 111. An end portion of the V-shaped first link 109 is rotatably connected to the rod end portion 107 through a second shaft 108. The other end of the V-shaped first link 109 is rotatably connected to an upper portion of a second link 110 through a third shaft 114. An end portion of a third link 113 is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of the vertical support member 105 through a fourth shaft 112. The other end portion of the third link 113 is rotatably connected to the other end portion of the second link 110 through a fifth shaft 116. An installation member 118 for installing a grasping mechanism 180 is fixedly connected to the upper support member 117. The installation member 118 has two slots 121, 121 to which a chucking cylinder 119 is adjustably installed by means of bolts 120, 120. A pair of finger portions 123, 123 for grasping the film 2 are fixed to a pair of chucking portions 122 of the chucking cylinder 119, respectively. As shown in Fig. 5, a pressuring mechanism 150 is installed to the film releasing device 100 to pressure next films 2 when a film 2 of a first order is grasped by the finger portions 123, 123. The pressuring mechanism 150 is constituted by a cylinder 132, a rotation cylinder 133, a piston rod 134 and a pressure plate 135. The cylinder 132 is installed to the upper support member 117 through a support member 138 so as to be parallel with the vertical support members 105. The piston rod 134 is connected to the cylinder 132 through the rotation cylinder 133 so as to vertically and rotatably move the pressure plate 135. A film suction mechanism 200 is connected to the second link 110. As shown in Figs. 8 to 11, the film suction mechanism 200 comprises a lip portion 201 made of rubber or flexible resin, such as urethane, silicon or nitorile rubber. The lip portion 201 is installed to an outer peripheral portion of an outer cup member 203. A pair of X-axis bearings 202, 202 are disposed at peripheries of the outer cup member 203 and opposite to each other while a center portion of the outer cup member 203 is disposed therebetween. An inner cup member 233 has a threaded portion 233A and is screwed to a threaded portion 203A of the outer cup member 203. A tube 204 extends from a vacuum source (not shown) to an inner vacuum chamber 206 formed at a center portion of the inner cup member 233. An end of the tube 204 is connected to the inner cup member 233 through a connector 204A to communicate the inner vacuum chamber 206 with the vacuum source. The inner and outer cup members 233 and 203 define an outer vacuum chamber 209 therebetween. The outer cup member 203 has a suction hole 208 through which the outer vacuum chamber 209 is communicated with the vacuum source by means of a tube 207 and a connector 207A. The outer vacuum chamber 209 is communicated with a bottom space through a cylindrical slit 212. The inner vacuum chamber 206 is communicated with the bottom space through a plurality of suction holes 211 of a bottom wall 210. A threaded portion 210A of the bottom wall 210 is screwed to a threaded portion 233B of the inner cup member 233. A partition plate 213 made of a resilient materiel is attached on a bottom surface of the inner cup member 233 A plurality of contact members 229 are attached on a bottom surface of the outer cup member 203. A plurality of contact plates 214 are attached on a bottom surface of the bottom wall 210. The contact members 229 and the contact plates define first grooves 238 and second grooves 237 through which air to be drawn is fed to the vacuum source. An outer ring 231 is screwed with an outer threaded portion 203B of the outer cup member 203 to sandwich a packing 215 between the outer ring 231 and a collar 232 of the outer cup member 203. A ring 218 is connected to the outer cup member 203. More particularly, a pair of X-axis shafts 216, 216 are interconnected with the pair of X-axis bearings 202, 202 of the outer cup member 203 so that the outer cup member 203 is rotatable on the X-axis shaft 216. The ring 218 has a pair of Y-axis bearings 217, 217 which are perpendicular to the X-axis bearings 202, 202 as shown in Fig. 9. The ring 218 is interconnected with a pair of brackets 219, 219 integral with a body member 223 by means of the Y-axis bearings 217, 217 and a pair of Y-axis shafts 228, 228. An upper portion of the body member 223 is formed into a threaded portion 221. A coil spring 225 is put between an installation member 226 and a base portion 220 of a body member 223. The installation member 226 has a cylinder bearing 224 through which the installation member 226 is slidable and in contact with the base member 220. A stopper 221 is screwed with the threaded portion 221 so as to bias the coil spring 225 between the base member 220 and the installation member 226. The installation member 226 is fixedly connected with the second link 110. Therefore, the film suction mechanism 200 is extensible and compressive along the second link 110. Further, the film suction mechanism 200 is swingable since the outer cup member 203 is rotatably connected to the ring 218 through the X-axis shaft 216 and the X-axis bearings 202 and the ring 218 is rotatably connected to the bracket 219 through the Y-axis shafts 228 and the Y-axis bearings 217. In operation of the film suction mechanism 200, after the lip portion 201 is contacted with the film 2, air in a space defined by the film 2 and the film suction mechanism 200 is securely drawn to the vacuum source through the first and second grooves 237 and 238 and the inner and outer vacuum chambers 206 and 209 so as to hold the film 2. This air drawing operation is executed by tuning-on solenoid valves (not shown) disposed in lines to the vacuum source. These solenoid valves are independently operable so as to be applicable to various films. Further, since the film suction mechanism 200 is arranged to be compressible in the axis direction and swingable in the X-axis and Y-axis, even if the surface of the film 2 is variously changed, the film suction mechanism 200 is fittingly put on the film 2 according to a surface condition of the film 2 and securely holds the film 2. Fig. 12 illustrates another suction pad 260 which comprises an inner member 265 and an outer member 266 screwed with each other. The inner member 265 has a first vacuum chamber 261 and a second vacuum chamber 262. An inner pad 264 is screwed to the inner member 265. A lip portion 263 is screwed with the outer member 266. This suction pad 260 functions as is similar to the suction pad 250 mentioned above. The manner of a film releasing operation by the film releasing device 100 will be discussed hereinafter with reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7. The first cylinder 104 rotatable on a support pin 136 is driven to push the first link 109. By this pushing operation, the first link 109 is swung on the shaft 111 to form a locus 139 as shown in Fig. 7, and the third link 113 is swung on the shaft 112 to form a locus 140 as shown in Fig. 7. Accordingly, the film suction mechanism 200 is inclined as indicated by the locus of the center axis 138 in Fig. 7. Therefore, the suction surface 143 of the film suction mechanism 200 is inclined so that the suction surface 143 is located on an imaginary line of the center axis of the finger portions 123, 123. Then, the lifted end portion of the film 2 is grasped by the finger portions 123, 123. Next, the procedures of a total film manipulating operations including a film transporting operation will be discussed hereinafter with reference to a time-chart of Fig. 13. At a left hand side mark ▿ in Fig. 13, the film manipulating apparatus 1 starts the film manipulating operations. The operations are executed as follows: (1) the film handling device 10 is lowered in height level and the film suction device 200 holds a film 2 of a first order from stacked films 2, and this operation is executed during a period A in Fig. 13; (2) the film suction mechanism 200 is inclined while holding or absorbing the film 2, and this operation is executed during a period B in Fig. 13; (3) the finger portions 123, 123 grasps an end portion of the film 2, and this operation is executed during a period C in Fig. 13; (4) the pressure plate 135 presses a film 2 of a second order together with the stacked films 2, the film handling device 10 is raised up with the film 2 of the first order, and this operation is executed during a period D in Fig. 13; (5) the film handling device 10 is moved to a predetermined position above the table 303, and this operation is executed during a period E in Fig. 13; (6) the film handling device 10 is lowered and release the film 2 on the table 303, and this operation is executed during a period F In Fig. 13; (7) the film 2 put on the table 303 is adjusted so as to be positioned at a standard position, and this operation is executed during the period F in Fig. 13; and (8) the film handling device 10 is returned to a start position of this film moving operation, and this operation is executed during a period G in Fig. 13. These operations are repeatingly executed, and the stacked films on the table 48 are transported to the table 303 one by one. As shown in Fig. 14, five cameras 304, such as CCD cameras are provided as a part of a film positioning system 300. First and second cameras 304A and 304B are disposed above the table 303 to scan a field around a left hand side edge of the film 2 and/or of a glass plate. A third camera 304C is disposed above the table 303 to scan a field around a center portion of an upper edge of the film 2 and glass plate in Fig. 18. Fourth and fifth cameras 304D and 304E are disposed above the table 3 to scan a field around the right had side edge of the film 2 and/or of a glass plate. The first and second cameras 304A and 304B are installed to a first adjuster 305A so as to be adjustable in the upper and lower directions as viewed from a front side of Fig. 14. The third camera 304C is installed to a second adjuster 305B so as to be adjustable in the upper and lower directions as viewed from a front side of Fig. 14. The fourth and fifth cameras 304D and 304E are installed to a third adjuster 305C so as to be adjustable in the upper and lower directions as viewed from a front side of Fig. 14. The first, second and third adjusters 305A, 305B and 305C are fixedly connected to a frame 306. The first and second cameras 304A and 304B are respectively used in accordance with a size of the glass sheet or of a film. For example, in case that a glass plate 6 of a large-size is put on the table 3, the first camera 304A is used for scanning the field on the glass sheet 6. On the other hand, in case that a glass plate 7 of a small-sized is put on the table 303, the second camera 304 is used for scanning a predetermined field on the glass plate 7. Similarly, the fourth and fifth cameras 304D and 304E are selectively used in accordance with the size of a glass sheet. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the table 303 comprises a -axis table 323 which is rotated by a -axis drive motor (not shown) along four -axis guide bearings 322 so as to be rotated on a center axis C of the table 323 which is perpendicular to a sheet surface of Fig. 15. A X-axis table 325 is supportingly connected to the -axis table 323. The X-axis table 325 is driven by a X-axis drive motor 324 in the right and left direction in Fig. 15. A Y-axis table 327 is supporting connected to the X-axis table 325. The Y-axis table 327 is driven by a Y-axis drive motor 326 in the upper and lower direction in Fig. 15. A rectangular table 332 is connected to the -axis table 323. A net-like plate 328 is attached on the rectangular table 332. The thus arranged table 303 is connected to a control system for adjusting the position of the film 2 as will be mentioned in the next paragraph. The table 303 is driven by an AC servo-drive system of a feed screw type. Further, the temperature on a surface of the table 303 is controlled within 15-50°C. As shown in Fig. 17, the film 2 on the table 303 is illuminated by an illumination 339, such as a fluorescent lamp. A camera-position adjusting section 329 is connected to each camera 304 to adjust a position of each of five cameras 304A to 304E. The cameras 304A to 304E generate signals from images of fields of a center portion and both side peripheral portions. The signals from the cameras 304A to 304E are sent to an image processing section 332 including a monitoring section 331 through a controlling section 330. The image processing section 332 processes the signals from the cameras 304A to 304E. A calculating section 333 connected to the image processing section 332 compares the signals indicative of the images from the image processing section 332 with a standard signal indicative of a standard position of the film, and outputs a signal indicative of a position correction value which indicates an offset amount of the film 2 on the table 303 with respect to the standard position A control section 335 receives tile signal indicative of the position correction value from the calculating section 333 and outputs a drive signal for correcting the position of the film to the image processing section 332. Further, the control section 335 outputs a signal indicative of the accomplishment of a positioning of the film 3 to a film transportation control section 336. The control section 335 receives a signal indicative that the transportation of the film has ended. The control section 335 outputs a signal to the camera position adjusting section 329 in order to adjust the positions of the cameras 304A to 304E. The control section 335 outputs a motor drive signal and a position reset signal to the -axis drive section 337. The control section 335 receives a signal indicative that -axis correction has been accomplished. Further, the control section 335 outputs a motor drive signal and a position reset signal to the X-Y axis drive section 338. The control section 335 receives a signal indicative that X-Y axis correction has been accomplished from the X-Y axis drive section. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, a sheet of film 2 is put on the table 303, and the maximum-size glass plate 6 or minimum-size glass plate 7 is put thereon. In order to adapt the film 2 to various sizes of glass plates, the first and second cameras 304A and 304B monitor a first field 308, the third camera 304C monitors a second field 309, and the fourth and fifth cameras 304D and 304E monitor a third field 310. If a film 2 with a banded-gradation portion 20 is manipulated by this apparatus, the cameras 304A to 304E are arranged to monitor a boundary 21 of the banded-gradation portion 20 in the film 2 as shown in Fig. 20. The film positioning system 300 executes a position detection of the film 2 as follows. As shown in Fig. 21, a predetermined area in the second field 309 monitored by the third camera 304C is set as a window 319 where brightness on its surface is detected. More particularly, the edge 40 of the film 2 is detected from a difference between the brightness of a surface of the table 303 and the brightness of a surface of the film 2. Further, the positions of both corners are detected by obtaining a position of the upper edge and a position of the side edge 40 from data of brightness in windows 312 and 313 as shown in Fig. 22. Two lines indicative of the upper edge 40 and the side edge 40 of the film 2 are obtained by analyzing the brightness data. That is, by selecting the data including a brightness as the same as that of the edge in each window 312, 313 and by analyzing a position distribution of the selected data, the lined are obtained. Further, the corner is indicated as an intersection of the lines. Fig. 23 shows windows 314, 315 and 316 for detecting a boundary 21 of a banded-gradation portion 20 in the film 2. After the film 2 is disposed on the table 303 so that the boundary 21 of the banded-gradation portion 20 is located in the window 315, data indicative of an average brightness at the gradation portion 20 is detected at the window 314, and data indicative of an average brightness at a transplant portion of the film 2 is detected at the window 316. On the basis of the data obtained at windows 314 and 316, a brightness value corresponding to the brightness of the boundary 21 is calculated. Next, by selecting the data including brightness as the same as the calculated value and by analyzing a position distribution of the selected data, the line indicative of the boundary 21 is obtained therefrom. Fig. 24 shows windows 317, 318, 319 and 320 for detecting an intersection between a boundary 21 of a banded-gradation portion 20 in the film 2 and a side edge 40 of the film 2. After the film 2 is disposed on the table 303 so that the boundary 21 of the banded-gradation portion 20 is located in the window 318, data indicative of an average brightness at the gradation area is detected at the window 317, and data indicative of an average brightness at a transplant portion of the film 2 is detected at the window 319. On the basis of the data obtained at windows 314 and 316, a brightness value corresponding to the brightness of the boundary is calculated. Next, by selecting the data including brightness as the same as the calculated value and by analyzing a position distribution of the selected data, the line indicative of the boundary 21 is obtained therefrom. Further, the edge 40 of the film 2 is detected from a difference between the brightness of a surface of the table 303 and the brightness of a surface of the film 2. On the basis of the line indicative of the boundary 21 of the banded-gradation portion 20 and the line indicative of the edge 40 of the film 2, an intersection thereof is calculated. The method for setting the film 2 at a predetermined position will be discussed with reference to Figs. 25A to 25C. First, the film 2 is put on the table 303 without fine position adjusting. Therefore, the position of the film 303 is offset from a standard position which is previously determined as shown in Fig. 25A. The film positioning device (mechanism) 300 calculates an offset amounts of the film 2 with respect to the standard position from the signals obtained by the cameras 304A to 304E. That is, the offset amounts of the -axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis are respectively calculated as a correction value. Next, the correction of the -axis is executed for the film 2 by rotating the table 303 according to the calculated correction value for the film 2, as shown in Fig. 25B. Further, the correction of the X-Y axis is executed by moving the table 303 according to the calculated correction value as to the X-Y axis to adjust the film 2 to the standard position as shown in Fig. 25C. In case of a film 2 with a banded-gradation portion 20, in stead of the upper edge 40 of the film 2, a boundary 21 of the banded-gradation portion 20 is used for the position detection as mentioned in the explanation of Figs. 23 and 24. As is similar to the above-mentioned case, the position correction of the film 2 is executed by controlling the table 303 by the control section 335. That is, the film 2 with the banded-gradation portion 20 is put on the table 303 without fine position adjusting, as shown in Fig. 26A. The film positioning mechanism 300 calculates an offset amounts of the film 2 with respect to the standard position from the signals obtained by the cameras 304A to 304E. Next, the correction of the -axis is executed for the film 2 by rotating the table 303 according to the calculated correction value for the film 2, as shown in Fig. 26B. Further, the correction of the X-Y axis is executed by moving the table 303 according to the calculated correction value as to the X-Y axis to adjust the film 2 to the standard position as shown in Fig. 26C With the thus arranged film manipulating apparatus, a film is released one by one from stacked films without being degraded in quality, and is transported to a predetermined position with fine accuracy. Furthermore, since this apparatus can be controlled at a desired temperature, it is applicable to various kinds of films which tend to change its properties according to a temperature or humidity. This enables the operations by this apparatus to be efficiently executed. Figs. 27 to 29 illustrate a second embodiment of the film manipulating apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The construction of the second embodiment is generally the same as that of the first embodiment except for the structure of a film releasing device. That is, the film releasing device 410 of the second embodiment comprises a pair of vertical support members 405, 405 and an upper support member 417 which is integrally connected to the vertical support members 405, 405. An end of a first air cylinder 404 is rotatably connected to a bracket 425 connected to the upper support member 417. A rod end member 407 is connected to the other end of the first air cylinder 404 through a piston rod 406. The rod end member 407 is rotatably connected to a bracket 421 fixed to the film suction device 200. Furthermore, the film suction device is connected to a support cover 454 which is integrally connected with a guide rail 452. The guide rail 452 is slidably put between first and second guide roller sets 453 and 454 which are supported to the vertical supporting members 405, 405. Therefore, the film suction mechanism 200 is inclined according to the pushing operation of the first air cylinder 404. Since the other construction of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the explanation thereof is omitted herein.

Claims: A method of manipulating stacked films (2), comprising the steps of: attaching suction devices (200) to at least two opposite peripheral portions of the film (2); lifting the suction devices (200) so that the lifted portions approach a center of the film (2); grasping ends of the lifted portions of the film (2); pressuring the other films; further lifting the film (2) to release the film (2) from the other films; and transporting and putting the film (2) on a predetermined portion, wherein a compression and extension of the suction devices (200) along a link (110), which is connected thereto, is enabled. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film is kept in a condition that a temperature and/or humidity is controlled within a predetermined range. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film is applied as an intermediate film for a laminated glass sheet. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film is made of synthetic resin and is formed in one of a sheet, a film and a bag. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film is one of a glass sheet and a glass film whose thickness is smaller than 1,5 mm. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film includes a banded-gradation portion and is formed in one of a sector-shape and a trapezoid-shape. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein attached portions of the film are corresponding to four corner portions of the film, and the film is lifted by the suction device along the direction of diagonal line of the film. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a step of adjusting a position of the film to the predetermined position by obtaining image data of at least two edge portions of the film, comparing the image data with a preset standard value, and correcting the position of the film according to a difference between the image data and the preset standard vlaue. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the correction of the position of the film is executed by correcting the position in -axis rotation, X-axis displacement and Y-axis displacement. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the film includes a banded-gradation portion, the position adjusting being executed by obtaining image data of at least two intersections between a boundary of the banded-gradation portion and edge portions of the film. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the film to be moved is put on a table whose surface is covered with a net-like member which generates a brightness different from that of the film. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the correction of the position of the film is executed in the order of the -axis rotation, X-axis displacement and Y-axis displacement. A film manipulating apparatus, comprising: a release mechanism (100) lifting the peripheral portions of the film so that the lifted portions approach a center of the film; a grasping mechanism (180) grasping the lifted end portions of the film; a transporting mechanism (40, 47) reciprocatingly transporting said elevating mechanism (46, 52) between two predetermined positions, characterized by a suction mechanism (200) sucking at least two opposite peripheral portions of a film of a plurality of laminated films; an elevating mechanism (46, 52) lifting and lowering said suction mechanism (200), said release mechanism (100) and said grasping mechanism (180); wherein said film suction mechanism (200) is arranged to be compressible and extensible along a link (110) which is connected thereto. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a pressuring mechanism (150) which presses the stacked films to keep the position of the other films. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said suction mechanism (200) comprises a cup member (203), a lip portion (201) connected to an outer periphery of the cup member, a bottom wall (210) connected to a bottom surface of the cup member (203), a plurality of suction holes (211) installed to the bottom wall (210), the cup member (203) and the bottom wall defining a plurality of vacuum chambers (206, 209) which are respectively communicated with a vacuum source, a plurality of partition members (213) being disposed to partition the suction holes by each vacuum chamber. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein one of the vacuum chambers (206) is disposed at a center of the suction mechanism, and the other vacuum chamber (209) is disposed to surround the one vacuum chamber at the center of the suction mechanism. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cup member (203) and the bottom wall (210) are connected by screw connection, the lip portion (201) being connected to the cup member by means of screw connection. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein a plurality of plates (213) of resilient material are attached on the bottom surface of the suction mechanism. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said suction mechanism comprises a ring member (218) which loosely surround the cup member (203), the ring member being swingably connected to the cup member (203) at first two portions, the first two portions being located on a first imaginary line which includes a center of the cup member and is perpendicular to an axis of the suction mechanism, the ring member (218) being swingably connected to a bracket (219) at second two portions, the second two portions being located on an second imaginary line which is perpendicular to the first imaginary line and to the axis of the suction mechanism. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the bracket (219) is fixedly connected to a base member integral with a cylindrical member. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a film position adjusting mechanism (300) which adjusts a position of the film to the predetermined position by obtaining image data of at least two edge portions of the film (2), comparing the image data with a preset standard value, and correcting the position of the film according to a difference between the image data and the preset standard value. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said film position adjusting mechanism comprises a plurality of cameras (304) for obtaining the image data of edge positions of the film, a table (325, 327) to put the film, a drive mechanism (324) for moving the table in -axis rotation, X-axis displacement and Y-axis displacement, and a control unit which controls to the drive mechanism according to the obtained difference. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the correction of the position of the film is executed by correcting the position in the -axis rotation, the X-axis displacement and the Y-axis displacement. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the film includes a banded-gradation portion (20), the position adjusting being executed by obtaining image data of at least two intersections between a boundary of the banded-gradation portion and edge portions (40) of the film. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the film to be moved is put on a table (303) whose surface is covered with a net-like member which generates a brightness different from that of the film. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the correction of the position of the film is executed in the order of the -axis rotation, X-axis displacement and Y-axis displacement. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said suction mechanism (200) releases the film (2) on a table after being transported by said transporting mechanism (40, 47).

Inventors: HANE TATSUYA, MAEDA SHIGERU, MORISHITA TOMOYUKI, SYORI HIDEICHI, HANE, TATSUYA, MAEDA, SHIGERU, MORISHITA, TOMOYUKI, SYORI, HIDEICHI, HANE, TATSUYA, C/O RESEARCH INST. FOR IND., MAEDA, SHIGERU, C/O RESEARCH INST. FOR IND., MORISHITA, TOMOYUKI, C/O RESEARCH INST. FOR IND., SYORI, HIDEICHI, C/O RESEARCH INST. FOR IND.
Applicants: CENTRAL GLASS CO LTD, CENTRAL GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B65H3
IPC codes: B65H3, B32B17